Academic Regulations

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 Student Responsibility for Meeting Graduation Requirements

Each student should thoroughly study this Undergraduate Bulletin and become completely familiar with the organization, policies, and regulations of the university. Failure to do this may result in serious mistakes for which the student shall be held fully responsible.

Through a system of academic advising, Arkansas State University assists each student in planning academic programs, developing course schedules, anticipating graduation requirements, and making decisions affecting educational growth and development. The student is required to consult an academic advisor each registration period to review procedures and degree requirements. Academic advisors endeavor to provide such assistance in a timely and accurate manner, but meeting requirements for graduation is the responsibility of the student.

Academic Records Privacy Rights

1. Purpose
   Arkansas State University will comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
2. Definitions
   Arkansas State University. Arkansas State University (ASU) means all the campuses within the Arkansas State University System, now and in the future.
   
   Student. Student means an individual who attends or has attended classes at ASU. This policy does not apply to the records of applicants for admission who are not accepted to ASU nor does it apply to applicants who are accepted but choose not to attend ASU.
   
   Education Record. Education records are those records, files, documents, and other materials which contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by ASU or a person acting for ASU.
   
   Directory Information. Directory Information is designated to be the student’s name; local and permanent physical addresses; electronic mail addresses; telephone listings; photographs and electronic images; date and place of birth; major field of study; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; dates of attendance; degrees and awards received; and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student.
3. Arkansas State University Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Policy
   The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act requires that institutions of higher education strictly protect the privacy rights of all students who are or who have been in attendance. Information contained in the student’s education records can be shared only with those persons or entities specified within the Act. The law also provides that students have the right to review their education records for the purpose of making any necessary corrections. The Office of the Registrar maintains a copy of the full text of FERPA, posts electronic information on FERPA, and processes all FERPA requests and challenges. Arkansas State University will utilize the following process to implement the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
4. Process
   1. Disclosure of Education Records
      1. Disclosure With Student Consent. A student may consent in writing to disclosure of education records. The student’s written consent must be signed, dated, and specify which records are to be disclosed, to whom, and for what purpose. The consent must be delivered to the Office of the Registrar. The student may retract the consent in writing at any time. Proper proof of identity may be required by the Office of the Registrar before consent is retracted.
      2. Disclosure Without Student Consent. ASU may disclose education records without the student’s written consent to any school official within the institution with a legitimate educational interest. School officials include administrators, supervisors, faculty members, instructors, support staff, members of the Board of Trustees, persons with whom ASU has contracted for special tasks, and university committee members. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. School officials of ASU are considered to be within the institution for the purposes of FERPA and may exchange education records without student consent so long as they have a legitimate educational interest. Disclosure without student consent may also be made to other persons and entities as allowed by FERPA.
         
         Faculty sponsors of registered honor societies may have access to student education records for the sole purpose of determining eligibility for membership on the basis that they are acting in an official university capacity that is integral to the educational function of ASU.
         
         The parents of students may exercise rights under FERPA if the student is claimed as a dependent by the parents for income tax purposes. Dependency must be proven by submission of a copy of income tax returns.
   2. Disclosure of Directory Information
      Directory information may be disclosed to any person or entity without student consent unless the student submits a completed request for non-disclosure of directory information form to the Office of the Registrar. If a student elects not to allow disclosure of directory information, ASU cannot share information regarding the student with any person or entity including prospective employers, licensing agencies, government agencies, the media, and others. The student may retract the directory information non-disclosure in writing at any time. Proper proof of identity may be required by the Office of the Registrar before the directory information non-disclosure is retracted.
   3. Inspection, Review, and Correction of Education Records
      Students have the right to inspect and review their education records except for specific exclusions contained within the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. A student should contact the Office of the Registrar to arrange for inspection, review, and correction of an education record. The Office of the Registrar may charge a fee for copies of any education records.
   4. Ownership of Education Records
      Education records are the property of ASU. Education records, including transcripts and diplomas, will not be released to any student who has a delinquent financial obligation to the University.

Academic Integrity, Academic Rights, and Student Academic Grievance Procedure

Arkansas State University enthusiastically promotes academic integrity and professional ethics among all members of the A-State academic community. Violations of this policy are considered as serious misconduct and may result in severe penalties.

Arkansas State University is a community of scholars whose members include its faculty, students and administrators. It is a forum where ideas are discovered, discussed and tested. The basic purposes of the university are the enlargement, dissemination and application of knowledge. These are achieved through classroom instruction, research, special lectures, concerts, discussion groups, seminars, experimentation, out-of-class activities, group living and leadership development.

Under certain circumstances, Arkansas State University students have the right to grieve alleged violations of their academic rights. A grievance is a complaint alleging that one or more of the “academic rights of students” (as stated in the Student Handbook) have been violated.

More information about academic integrity, student academic rights, and the student academic grievance procedure can be found in the student handbook at http://www.astate.edu/a/student-conduct/student-standards/.

Assessment Requirements

Arkansas State University (A-State) is dedicated to providing quality academic programs and committed to transparency of student learning outcomes; therefore, assessment for improvement of academic programs and learning is of primary importance to the university. Students are responsible for participating in state and institutional assessment exams or related activities. Failure to participate in required assessments can prevent registration and delay degree completion and graduation.

Classification of Students

Beginning students are classified as freshmen; students with 30-59 hours of credit as sophomores; students with 60-89 hours of credit as juniors; and students with 90 or more hours of credit as seniors.

Transfer Credit Policy

Transfer work will be entered on the student’s permanent academic record when an official transcript is presented to the University from a regionally accredited institution. Any transfer work received from a non-accredited institution is evaluated and considered on a case by case basis in the Office of the Registrar in conjunction with Academic Affairs and the Office of International Programs (as applicable). All courses completed, including D and F grades, are added to the student’s transfer record.

A-State will consider awarding credit toward an Associate or a Baccalaureate degree for Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination program (CLEP), Military service education and experience, DANTES, formal non collegiate courses for which credit has been recommended as listed in the Directory of National Program on Non Collegiate Sponsored Instruction and in the National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs published by ACE, International Baccalaureate, and Excelsior College Exams.

The Academic Load Policy will govern the number of hours a student may apply toward the academic record when concurrently enrolled at A-State and other institutions of higher education. A-State hours will be applied first if more than the maximum number of hours are submitted for approval. Currently enrolled students should not take courses at other institutions without first checking with the advisors regarding the applicability of the courses for A-State credit and to ensure that they are not taking inappropriate courses, non-equivalent courses, out-of-sequence courses, courses on the wrong level or an overload for the semester.

Transfer of English Composition courses will not be accepted from international institutions. This policy is normally waived for citizens of the British Isles, Australia, and English speaking portions of Canada and New Zealand.

Students transferring from an accredited Arkansas public two-year community college or four-year university with an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or other associate degree meeting the minimum state enhanced education core, will be given full satisfaction of all A-State general education requirements. Some degree requirements may require a “C” or higher grade and/or other specific general education courses as part of their degree requirements. If a student hasn’t satisfied those specific requirements, they will still be required to complete that coursework. Students admitted with an associate degree and 60 transfer hours will be classified as a junior for registration purposes.

NOTE: Transfer credit might not satisfy specific General Education Requirements. Transfer credit might not satisfy specific degree requirements. Students must review the university requirements and specific major requirements required for their degree.

NOTE: Students pursuing a degree which requires a previously earned associate degree or work experience for “credit by articulation” will not see the previously earned hours applied to their degree evaluation until their final graduating semester. This may affect financial aid.

Student Academic Load

Academic load is the sum total of credit hours for all traditional and online coursework taken in a given term. In a semester, this includes all half-semester (i.e. first session, second session) and fullsemester coursework. In the summer term, academic load is calculated for the entire term, including all two-week, five-week, seven-week, ten-week, and full-term courses. The minimum credit hour load for classification as a full-time student in any term is 12 credit hours of ASU-Jonesboro courses.

The maximum academic load for students is 18 credit hours per semester or 14 credit hours per summer term. Student enrollment may not exceed ten (10) credit hours of half-semester courses (i.e. first session, second session) or seven (7) credit hours per five-week summer session.

Students holding a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 or above may request permission of the dean of their college to schedule up to 21 hours in a semester or 17 hours in the summer term. If permission is granted, student enrollment may not exceed ten (10) credit hours of half-semester courses (i.e. first session, second session) or nine (9) credit hours per five-week summer session.

A one hour overload is permitted during a student’s last enrollment period (semester or summer term) if the one hour overload will complete graduation requirements.

The total academic load resulting from concurrent enrollments at Arkansas State University and other institutions shall not exceed the maximum loads stated above. Students who receive an Institutional Scholarship should consult their individual scholarship guidelines for minimum credit hour requirements.

Real-time Course Load Maximum - Weighted Units

A student’s real-time course load may not exceed specified weighted units during any part-of-term based on the academic load limitations stated above. Real-time course load is determined by assigning a number of weighted units to each course based on the scale below. A student’s real -time course load is defined as the total number of weighted units the student is carrying at any one time. In calculating a student’s real-time course load for a part-of-term, both full-term courses (e.g. full semester, full summer, etc.) and part-of-term courses (e.g. half semester, five-week summer session, seven-week session, etc.) shall be included. In other words, all overlapping (i.e. simultaneously occurring) courses will be part of the calculation. The maximum weighted academic load for students may not exceed 20 weighted units during any part of term.

Real-time course loads will be calculated for the following parts-of-term:

First Half Semester - Fall and Spring
Second Half Semester - Fall and Spring
May Interim Period - Summer
First Summer Term (i.e. Summer I) - Summer
Second Summer Term (i.e. Summer II) - Summer
August Interim Period - Summer

Students who exceed the university’s real-time course load maximum will be required to reduce their class schedules accordingly.

Weighted Units Scale (Common Conversions)

Registration

All students are expected to register for classes on the days designated on the Office of the Registrar web page (http://registrar.astate.edu) for a given term. Students may enroll through the first week of classes during a semester, or the first day of a five-week term.

Registration is accomplished through accessing the university’s web system. Registration is scheduled on a priority basis according to student classification, which is determined by the number of semester credit hours students have completed.

ALL STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO CONSULT AN ACADEMIC ADVISOR BEFORE REGISTERING FOR CLASSES.

Also, students should be aware that, once they have registered for classes, tuition and fee charges will be generated for those courses for which they have registered. Students who register and later decide not to attend should withdraw from their classes prior to the start of the semester to avoid tuition and fee assessment. (SEE NOTES 1 AND 2 BELOW).

NOTE 1: For charges applicable for withdrawals after classes begin, refer to the index for the REFUND OF FEES SCHEDULE.

NOTE 2: Instructions for withdrawing are available on the A-State website or from the Wilson Advising Center at (870) 972-3001.

Course Numbering System

Each course is designated by a prefix and a four-digit number.

• The prefix is most often a four-character department or program identifier.
• The first digit indicates the course level.
• The second and third digits identify the course within the department.
• The fourth digit indicates the number of semester hours of credit. This digit will vary for some courses, including variable hour courses such as independent studies, which will carry the letter ‘V’ in the fourth position.

Course Level Guide

Course Prerequisites

Students may not enroll in a course before successfully completing the prerequisites to that course. Prerequisites to a course are noted following the description of the course. Departments may choose to override these requirements under exceptional circumstances.

Frequency of Course Offerings

A frequency-of-course-offering statement appears at the end of each course description in the college/departments. The information reflects the normal scheduling of the course. However, circumstances may from time to time dictate scheduling changes, and the university reserves the right to make such changes when necessary. Students should check in advance with department chairs concerning offerings about which they may have a question.

The code symbols are as follows:

Changes in Class Schedule

Changes in class schedules may be made via the web during the scheduled registration periods. Students will not be permitted to add new courses after the first week of classes of a semester or the first class day of a five-week summer term.

STUDENTS SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR ACADEMIC ADVISOR BEFORE CHANGING CLASS SCHEDULES.

STUDENTS RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIPS SHOULD ALSO CONSULT THEIR FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR.

Dropping Individual Courses: Deadlines

The final date for dropping individual courses is two weeks prior to the first day of final examinations during Fall and Spring semesters. Academic Affairs will identify appropriate deadlines for other semesters (interims, summer, half sessions). (Refer to the index for Academic Calendar).

The Academic Calendar is also published on the Office of the Registrar web page (http://registrar.astate.edu).

Final Examinations

A final examination is a requirement of all courses except those in which written examinations are not used for evaluating student achievement. Courses that might not have final examinations may include, for example, laboratory courses, clinical experience courses, student-teaching courses, fine arts performance and studio courses, readings courses, special problems, independent studies, and internships.

Final examination schedules are published on the Office of the Registrar web page (http://www.astate.edu/a/registrar/students/final-exams/) for each semester. Examinations must be given on the dates scheduled. Exceptions may be granted only for individual students in cases of emergency or other compelling circumstances over which the student has no control. Exceptions must be approved by the dean of the college in which the course is offered.

Class Attendance Policy

Students should attend every lecture, recitation and laboratory session of every course in which they are enrolled. Students who miss a class session should expect to make up missed work or receive a failing grade on missed work. It is the practice of Arkansas State University to allow students to participate in university sponsored academic or athletic events, even when those events cause them to be absent from class. Students participating in university sponsored academic or athletic events will not have those days counted against their available absences and will be given reasonable opportunities to make up missed assignments and exams.

Students enrolled in freshman or sophomore level courses numbered 1000 or 2000 may during the spring and fall semester miss no more than twice the number of lectures, recitations, laboratory sessions, or other regularly scheduled class activities that would normally be scheduled during a week. Students who miss more than the maximum number of freshman or sophomore level classes may be assigned a grade of “FN” for the course. Students who may be assigned a grade of “FN” in a course because of excessive absences may withdraw from the course without penalty before the deadline for dropping an individual course. In determining whether excessive absences should result in a failing grade, consideration shall be given to the maturity and class standing of the student, the quality of academic work being accomplished by the student, and extenuating circumstances related to such absences.

Students enrolled in junior or senior upper-level courses numbered 3000 or 4000 will not be assigned a grade of “FN” solely for failing to attend classes. However, instructors shall set forth in their syllabi at the beginning of the semester their attendance requirements and expectations with regard to make-up policy for work missed, class participation and other factors that may influence course grades. In determining whether excessive absences should adversely affect a grade in an upper-level course, consideration shall be given to the maturity and class standing of the student, the quality of academic work being accomplished by the student, and extenuating circumstances related to such absences.

Students must utilize their available absences for any cause which requires them to miss class including, but not being limited to, vacation, illness, emergency, or religious observances. Students who are aware that they will have absences during a term should ensure that they do not exceed the absences available.

Excused Absence for University-sponsored Events

It is the practice of Arkansas State University to allow students to participate in university-sponsored events, even when those events cause them to be absent from class. Students participating in universitysponsored events will be given reasonable opportunities to make up missed assignments and exams.

Residency Requirements for Degree Completion

Students seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree must meet A-State’s residency requirements. Associate degree candidates must complete a minimum of 16 semester hours through the A-State campus. Baccalaureate degree candidates must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours through the A-State campus.

Curriculum Structure

Academic colleges within the university structure curriculum around the following:

General Education Core Curriculum

This is a basic core of subjects from the areas of communications, humanities, social sciences, sciences and mathematics, consisting of 35 semester hours. The university designed the core to acquaint students with the major areas of knowledge. Please see “The General Education Program ” section for additional information.

Major

All degree programs, except those for the Associate of General Studies and the Bachelor of General Studies, require students to complete an academic major. A major is a collection of courses designed to give opportunity for in-depth study of a specific area within a given discipline. Students completing a major should be able to demonstrate a significant level of expertise in that area. Though a major on the baccalaureate level cannot provide comprehensive coverage of a particular area within a discipline, the collection of courses within it must be coherent, progressing from a basic understanding of the area’s history, nature, theory, methodology, tools, and practice to a more complex and sophisticated integration of knowledge and skills in that area. Each course makes a significant contribution to the major and the fulfillment of its outcomes. (Refer to Programs A-Z  for a listing of Majors and Minors offered by Arkansas State University).

Minor

In addition to academic majors, students may complete academic minors. A minor is a secondary area of specialized academic study usually consisting of 18-21 semester hours. Academic minors are required in some colleges and are recommended in other colleges. Some restrictions on minors may be imposed by academic departments and colleges. (Refer to Programs A-Z  for a listing of Majors and Minors offered by Arkansas State University).

Minor requirements must be completed under the provisions of an A-State Bulletin that is not more than seven years old at the time of the student’s graduation, provided the student was enrolled in residence at a regionally accredited institution of higher education during the year the bulletin was in effect. Minors must be completed at the same time the baccalaureate degree is completed, however the major and minor may come from different A-State Bulletins (provided the student is qualified to use each Bulletin). A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required for a minor unless otherwise specified. Students may not minor in the same area as their major.

Concentration

A concentration is a selection of courses within a student’s major that provides a particular specialization or focus for the major and is designed to give a student specialized knowledge, competence or skill within the major.

Track

A track is a grouping of courses within a major that are specific to the applied principal of the student. This does not necessarily imply additional hours of study.

Open Electives

Students may use any course in the curriculum, or accepted in transfer, to meet open elective requirements.

University General Requirements for All Associate Degrees

Each candidate for an associate degree must meet the following general requirements:

1. Submit an Intent to Graduate Application online in their Self-Service account prior to the fifth class day of the semester in which graduation will occur (If the student is unable to graduate at the end of the semester for which application has been made, a new Intent to Graduate Application form must be filed during the next semester in which the student expects to graduate).
2. Students will pay their graduation fee online at the time of completing the intent to graduate application either by charging the relevant fee to their student account or by paying via credit card. This fee is required of all students who wish to receive their degree, even if they decline participation in the ceremony. This fee must be paid before the diploma, final transcript or graduation attire can be released. (If the student is unable to graduate at the end of the semester for which application has been made, the student will be required to pay the graduation fee on each subsequent intent to graduate application).
3. Complete graduation requirements under the provisions of an A-State Bulletin that is not more than seven years old at the time of the student’s graduation, provided the student was enrolled in residence at a regionally accredited institution of higher education during the year the bulletin was in effect.
4. Earn a grade of C or better in ENG 1003  and ENG 1013 .
5. Complete HIST 2763  or HIST 2773 , or POSC 2103  as stated in General Education Curriculum to satisfy the Arkansas requirement of American History or American Government.
6. Complete the curriculum as listed under the description of each associate degree program, with a minimum of 60 semester hours.
7. Complete half of the last 50% of semester hours through the A-State campus.
8. Have an average of C or better (2.00 GPA) on all work attempted, on work in the major field, and, if a transfer student, on all work taken at this institution. A passing grade must be made in all courses required for the degree. (These are minimum grade averages and some colleges on the campus will require higher averages.)
9. Twelve (12) of the last 18 semester hours must be Arkansas State University work. Exceptions to the “12 of the last 18” regulation may be granted by the dean of the college in which the student is majoring.
   
   A maximum of 25 percent of an associate degree program may be earned through examination (including CLEP), evaluated military service credits, PLA, DANTES and USAFI courses. Students may submit a maximum of 15 CLEP-credit hours toward an associate degree. (Arkansas Act 88 of 1979 exempts nursing students from these maxima. Confer with the Chair, School of Nursing for information.)
10. An official record of transfer work completed at another institution must be on file in the Office of the Registrar at Arkansas State University at least three weeks before the degree is to be granted. If coursework is taken elsewhere during the last semester, an official transcript must be received no later than two weeks following commencement. Until it is received, the diploma and final transcript will be held.

University General Requirements for All Baccalaureate Degrees

Each candidate for a baccalaureate degree must meet the following general requirements: (Some A-State colleges have additional “general” requirements.)

1. Submit an Intent to Graduate Application online in their Self-Service account prior to the fifth class day of the semester in which graduation will occur (If the student is unable to graduate at the end of the semester for which application has been made, a new Intent to Graduate Application form must be filed during the next semester in which the student expects to graduate).
2. Students will pay their graduation fee online at the time of completing the intent to graduate application either by charging the relevant fee to their student account or by paying via credit card. This fee is required of all students who wish to receive their degree, even if they decline participation in the ceremony. This fee must be paid before the diploma, final transcript or graduation attire can be released. (If the student is unable to graduate at the end of the semester for which application has been made, the student will be required to pay the graduation fee on each subsequent intent to graduate application).
3. Complete graduation requirements under the provisions of an A-State Bulletin that is not more than seven years old at the time of the student’s graduation, provided the student was enrolled in residence at a regionally accredited institution of higher education during the year the bulletin was in effect.
4. Complete a First Year Experience/Making Connections Seminar during the first semester of enrollment at A-State regardless of the number of concurrent, AP and other college credits earned while in high school. This course is an integral part of the overall first year experience and is designed to assist students to make a smooth transition to the university experience. Students who meet A-State transfer guidelines of 13 or more credited and transferable hours at time of initial enrollment are exempt from this policy. This requirement may be waived in cases of students transferring to A-State. (Transfer students see note under “General Education Curriculum for Baccalaureate Degrees .”)
5. Meet the English proficiency requirement. Complete ENG 1003  with a grade of C or better before enrolling in ENG 1013 . Complete ENG 1013  with a grade of C or better. Students who are not pursuing a teacher education degree [B.S.E./B.M.E./B.S.A. (Ag.Ed.)] and who have earned lower than C in ENG 1013  may satisfy the requirement by repeating the course with a C or better, OR by passing the English Proficiency Essay after completing 62 degree-credit hours, OR by earning a passing grade in an upper-level English writing course.
6. Complete HIST 2763 , or HIST 2773 , or POSC 2103  as stated in General Education Curriculum to satisfy the Arkansas requirement of American History or American Government.
7. Complete the General Education curriculum, with substitutions/additions listed under the description of each degree program. (Transfer students see note under “Transfer Credit Policy” section of Academic Regulations.)
8. Complete half of the last 50% of semester hours through the A-State campus.
9. Complete a minimum of 45 semester hours of junior-senior level courses.
10. Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours (additional hours may be required by the various colleges for particular majors) and meet the requirements for a degree as outlined in the respective colleges’ requirements.
11. Have an average of C or better (2.000 GPA) on all work attempted, on work in the major field, on work in the minor field if one is completed, and, if a transfer student, on all work taken at this institution. A passing grade must be made in all courses required for the degree. (These are minimum grade averages and some colleges on the campus will require higher averages.)
12. Eighteen (18) of the last 24 semester hours must be Arkansas State University work. Exceptions may be granted by the dean of the college in which the student is majoring, when conditions stated below are met.
    1. The student must have met A-State’s residency requirement by completing 30 semester hours through the A-State campus.
    2. The student must have earned at least 90 hours at A-State and/or institutions having a formal articulation agreement with A-State.
    3. The remaining course work must be completed at a regionally accredited baccalaureate- degree-granting institution.
       A maximum of 25 percent of a baccalaureate degree program may be earned through credit by examination (including CLEP) advanced placement, evaluated military service credits, DANTES and USAFI courses. Students may submit toward a baccalaureate degree a maximum of 30 semester hours earned through credit by examination. (Arkansas Act 88 of 1979 exempts nursing students from these maxima. Confer with the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions for information.)
13. An official record of transfer work completed at another institution must be on file in the Office of the Registrar at Arkansas State University at least three weeks before the degree is to be granted. If coursework is taken elsewhere during the last semester, an official transcript must be received no later than two weeks following commencement. Until it is received, the diploma and final transcript will be held.

NOTE: See note under Degree Requirements of the Neil Griffin College of Business  for limitation on Neil Griffin College of Business course credit for students not completing Neil Griffin College of Business Core Courses.

Requirements for an Additional Baccalaureate Degree

Students who wish to complete additional baccalaureate degrees in other fields of study must satisfy the following requirements:

• Complete graduation requirements under the provisions of an A-State catalogue that is not more than seven years old at the time of the student’s graduation, provided the student was enrolled in residence at a regionally accredited institution of higher education during the year the catalog was in effect.
• Meet the residency requirements. If the first degree was awarded by A-State, the student will complete the remaining degree requirements in residence. If the first degree was NOT awarded by A-State, the student must complete half of the last 50% of semester hours in residence at A-State (residency requirement) and meet the requirements of the degree sought.
• Regardless of where the first degree was awarded, students must have completed ENG 1003  and ENG 1013  with a ‘C’ or better and HIST 2763  or HIST 2773  or POSC 2103  (or equivalent courses).

NOTE: Academic ranking and academic honors designations are applicable to the first baccalaureate degree only.

NOTE: GPA calculation is based on all A-State work including the first degree earned.

Grades and Grading System

Students have access to view official grades at the end of each semester and each summer term in which they are enrolled.

Arkansas State University is on a four-point grading system. The grading system includes permanent letter grades and grade point values as follows:

In addition to the grades listed above, the grading system utilizes the following grades that are not used to compute GPA:

A student’s grade point average is computed by multiplying the number of hours credit of each grade by the grade points assigned to that grade, then dividing the sum of these several products by the total number of degree-credit hours in which the student was enrolled.

I - Incomplete Grade

A grade of “I” (incomplete) is appropriate on the final grade roster when a student fails to meet all course requirements for reasons beyond his/her control, i.e., illness of the student, family member’s death or serious illness, or extended research projects at the graduate level. Procrastination, pressure of work in other courses, or work not connected with the student’s school load are not satisfactory reasons for an “I” grade. All “I” grades must have prior approval of the chair of the department in which the course is offered, which requires the “Request for Incomplete Grade” form to be on file with the department and the Office of the Registrar.

NOTE: “Grade Change Report” forms must be completed and submitted at the close of the next semester immediately following the one in which the original grade was recorded.

Auditing Courses

All students auditing a course will pay the regular course audit fee as shown under the heading Fees and Expenses. No credit will be awarded for courses audited. The letters AU will be recorded in the grade column on the student’s permanent record. Audited courses will be counted as part of the stated maximum load for a semester or term. Students may change to audit during the scheduled registration periods. Students must make all changes related to course credit no later than the first week of classes in the Fall or Spring semester or the first class day of a Summer term. This includes the following changes:

• Credit to Audit (or 0-credit)
• Audit (or 0-credit) to Credit
  Students MAY NOT change to audit on the web. (Refer to the index for Academic Calendar.)

Auditors are expected to meet all requirements for a course other than taking examinations and completing formal written papers. The names of those persons registered to audit a course will appear on the class roster.

FN - Failure to Attend and Not Withdrawn

Faculty assign a grade of FN to students who have quit attending class but do not officially drop or withdraw. The FN indicates the grade of ‘F’ has been earned due to lack of attendance and not necessarily lack of understanding the material. Students are encouraged to notify their instructor of their intention to drop or withdraw from a course. However the notification does not constitute the drop or withdrawal. Students must still process their drop or withdrawal in Banner Self Service or with the Wilson Advising Center. Students should review their schedule of classes using Banner Self Service to make sure their enrollment is accurate.

WN - Withdrawal for Non-Attendance

Faculty assign a grade of WN (withdrawal for non-attendance) to students who have never attended a single class during the first eleven class days of the semester. Although faculty assign WN’s, students are responsible for dropping/withdrawing from all classes they are not attending. Logging into an online course is considered the same as attendance for “WN” purposes.

Students should review their schedule of classes using Banner Self Service to make sure their enrollment is accurate. Students who find a mistake need to contact the Office of the Registrar for proper procedures immediately upon discovery. The WN grade may not be appealed after the close of the semester in which the WN grade was issued.

W - Withdrawal from the University

(Refer to the index for the Refund of Fees Schedule )

Students withdrawing from the university after Sunday of the first full week of classes in a semester or Friday of the first week of classes in a five-week summer term must obtain an Application for Withdrawal at the office of Wilson Advising Center. The Wilson Advising Center advisors will assist students in the process to obtain withdrawal approval from the Treasurer’s office, Financial Aid, University Housing and the Library. The completed application must be returned to the Wilson Advising Center by the application nullification date. This process must be completed two weeks prior to the first day of final examinations during Fall and Spring semesters.

Academic Affairs will identify appropriate deadlines for other semesters (interims, summer, half sessions). Grades earned in courses completed prior to official withdrawal from the university (i.e., short courses) will not be affected by that withdrawal. Classes that have been withdrawn will remain on the student’s transcript with a “W” grade for withdrawal. Once the withdrawal process is complete, the classes withdrawn will not affect the student’s GPA.

Students who cease to attend classes without processing an official withdrawal, or who do not complete the withdrawal process will automatically receive an FN in all courses in which they were enrolled.

Students Activated for Military Service

Arkansas code § 6-61-112 provides the following for students called into full-time military duty during an academic semester.

1. When any person is activated for full-time military service during a time of national crisis and therefore is required to cease attending a state-supported postsecondary educational institution without completing and receiving a grade in one or more courses, the following assistance shall be required with regard to courses not completed.
   1. Such student shall receive a complete refund of tuition and such general fees as are assessed against all students at the institution or (see ‘(c)’ below).
      1. Proportionate refunds of room, board, and other fees which were paid to the institution shall be provided to the student, based on the date of withdrawal.
      2. If an institution contracts for services covered by fees which have been paid by and refunded to the student, the contractor shall provide a like refund to the institution.
   2. If the institution has a policy of repurchasing textbooks, students shall be offered the maximum price, based on condition, for the textbooks associated with such courses.
2. When a student is required to cease attendance because of such military activation without completing and receiving a grade in one or more courses, the institution shall provide a reasonable opportunity for completion of the courses after deactivation.
3. A student activated during the course of a semester shall be entitled, within a period of two years following deactivation, to free tuition for one semester at the institution where attendance had been interrupted unless federal aid is made available for the same purpose.

To prevent students who are receiving veteran’s benefits from being penalized and having to repay such benefits, students activated during an academic semester who have not completed sufficient course requirements for the awarding of a grade must withdraw from the university. Students should contact the VA representative in the Office of the Registrar immediately upon notification of activation to initiate the withdrawal process.

Academic Clemency

Academic clemency is a provision allowing a one-time, irrevocable calculation of grade point average and credit hours toward graduation to be based only upon work done after a prolonged separation from college. This provision is provided for undergraduate students who have gained maturity through extended experience outside higher education institutions, and are currently enrolled at Arkansas State University and have demonstrated acceptable academic performance following their return.

Requirements to be satisfied by a student prior to requesting academic clemency toward an undergraduate degree are as follows:

1. separation* from all academic institutions for at least three years, followed by *Transcripts showing attempted enrollment ending in withdrawals are not considered to be separation.
2. completion of a minimum of twelve degree hours of credit courses from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a 2.0 or better G.P.A, and
3. formal application submitted to the Office of the Registrar, wherein the student shall specify the semester(s) for which academic clemency is requested and
4. fee payment to the A-State Treasurer’s Office

Upon approval by the Office of the Registrar, the student will be granted academic clemency. The student’s permanent record will remain a record of all work; however, the student will forfeit the use-for degree purposes at Arkansas State University-of any college or university credit earned for semesters granted clemency regardless of where the credit was earned.

A-State will honor the Academic Clemency granted by another institution, but will recognize ONLY the clemency from that particular institution.

This process will be recorded in the student’s permanent record; and will be noted on the transcript. The date of the clemency will coincide with the date of re-entry following the prolonged separation.

Repeating of Courses

Students may repeat up to 18 semester hours in which grades of D or F were earned and have only the last grade counted in computing the grade point average for undergraduate degree requirements. Courses may be repeated any time before the first Baccalaureate degree is awarded.  requirements:

1. The student must have earned a grade of D or F in the course.
2. Students may repeat up to 18 semester hours.
3. All other repeated courses will have both grades counted. Degree hours will be applied only once toward graduation requirements.
4. Students may not repeat for credit any course in which they have earned a grade of C or better.
5. Courses repeated must be the exact course. Students may not use substitutions for repeated courses.

NOTE: A grade of F cannot replace a grade of D. If the grade in the first attempt is a D and the grade in the second attempt is an F, both grades will be counted.

Once a student earns a grade of “D” or above in a course, he/she may repeat the course only one additional time and receive federal financial aid in support of the course. All students repeating a course should check with their financial aid counselor to see how the repeated course will affect their scholarships and or aid.

The student should be aware that the grade of D or F from any previous attempts will remain on the transcript. The previous attempts will be indicated by an “E” (excluded) in the repeat column.

A request for recomputation of grade point averages must be completed and filed with the Office of the Registrar in order to have only the last grade counted for courses which have been repeated. Developmental courses are not included in the “Repeating of Courses” policy.

The department chair, the appropriate college dean, and the Office of the Registrar will determine the application of the repeat course policy in those instances where course numbers and/or titles have been changed at Arkansas State University and for courses completed at other institutions of higher education. Every student is eligible for the provisions of the repeat policy, regardless of the Bulletin year in which the student entered A-State.

Students who are planning to apply for admission to graduate school should take note that most graduate/professional schools recalculate GPAs based upon ALL courses that students have attempted during their college career. Thus, any repeated courses will have both grades counted in consideration for graduate school admission.

Student Identity Authentication Information

Online classes are assessed a Student Identity Authentication fee to meet accreditation standards. The Federal Compliance Fee is applied to cover costs to meet Higher Learning Commission (HLC) federal compliance standards through authentication processes that include a variety of verification methods that best meet program needs. HLC guidelines require verification of the identity of students participating in online programs and classes institution-wide.

Proctoring services may include live proctoring that allows students to take exams from a secure environment using a personal computer. Instructors will provide specific information as to the methods and services used to authenticate student identity.

Specific information regarding cost per credit hour for the Student Identity Compliance fee may be viewed at http://www.astate.edu/info/costs/undergraduate/ or in the Fees and Expenses section of the bulletin.

The fee is assessed at the time that tuition and other fees are charged. Students may pay for the fee with their tuition payment.

Credit by Examination

Arkansas State University provides students the opportunity to earn university credit by examination through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and through challenge examinations administered by the academic departments.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The university awards a maximum of thirty semester hours of university credit through CLEP. If a student has attained university-level knowledge in one or more subjects, the achievement may be recognized by the university granting credit for related college courses, provided a satisfactory score is earned in the approved CLEP examination. These examinations assess knowledge of fundamental facts and concepts, perception of relationships, and understanding of principles. Questions regarding examination dates, the administration of examinations, and the appropriateness of specific CLEP examinations should be directed to the Testing Center, which administers the program.

Anyone may take the CLEP tests; however, CLEP credit is not awarded for a course the student has already attempted and been assigned a grade with the exception of a “W”, or if the student has already completed a more advanced course in the subject matter area. Students who are eligible to receive college credit based upon CLEP examination scores shall have credit recorded without grades or grade points on their permanent record.

CLEP examination credit earned at other institutions of higher education is transferable to Arkansas State University if the subject is included in A-State’s CLEP credit policy. Students must bear the cost of CLEP examinations. Credit may be awarded for two general examinations (G) and thirteen subject matter examinations (S) from the following areas.

Required Minimum CLEP Scaled Scores for Granting Credit at Arkansas State University

Information Systems and Business Analytics Credit by Examination

Students can receive Information Science and Business Analytics (ISBA) credit by examination after completing certifications for Microsoft, CompTia, etc. The student must complete a “Request for Credit by Examination” form and provide proof they passed the appropriate exam to the ISBA department.

The student must pay a $50 non-refundable fee prior to credit being awarded.

Certification Credit for ISBA Courses

Course: ISBA 1503  

• Microsoft : MOS - 4 parts
• Notes: Office 13 or 16

Course: ISBA 2523  

• CompTia: N10-008

Course: ISBA 3033  

• Microsoft: 70-483
• Notes: C# Master

Course: ISBA 3403  

• Other: Oracle 1Z0-062

Course: ISBA 3413  

• Other: Oracle 1Z0-063

Course: ISBA 3533  

• Microsoft: MOS Expert 4 parts
• Notes: Expert Level

Course: ISBA 4623  

• CompTia: SY0-401
• Other: CISSP

Course: ISBA 4853  

• CompTia: Pk0-003

Department Challenge Examinations

Various academic departments administer challenge examinations in specific courses or on certain subject matter areas upon the request of students enrolled at Arkansas State University. An official form, “Request for Credit by Examination,” may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Students should contact appropriate deans and department chairs for additional information.

Credit by departmental examination is not awarded for courses the student has already completed, courses less advanced than those already completed, or courses for which a CLEP examination exists.

The student who wishes to take a departmental challenge examination must pay a $50 nonrefundable fee prior to taking each examination.

Challenge exams should be taken prior to the student’s last semester of enrollment preceding graduation.

Advanced Placement Credit

The university awards credit to students who participate in their high school Advanced Placement (AP) Program administered by the College Board Placement Test Program. Students who wish to obtain Advanced Placement credit must request the College Board to forward their test scores to Arkansas State University after they have been admitted. Students will be awarded credit in the courses listed below, provided they make satisfactory scores on appropriate AP examinations and meet other requirements designated by the department offering the course.

AP credit is not awarded for a course the student has already attempted and been assigned a grade, with the exception of a “W”, at the college/university level. AP credit granted at other institutions is not automatically transferable to Arkansas State University. Students who wish to transfer AP credit must submit official documentation of earned scores.

Students who establish their eligibility to receive AP credit shall have credit recorded without grade points on their permanent records after they have been enrolled at Arkansas State University for a full summer or semester.

*scoring 3 on both English Lang and English Lit Comp will award both ENG 1003  & ENG 1013 
**plus completion of Intermediate II
***completion of PHYS 2034  or PHYS 2054  required before credit awarded
****lower-level credit is awarded for this course

Graduation with Latin Honors/Program Honors

Arkansas State University recognizes the academic achievement of graduating baccalaureate-degree students with Latin Honors, “Honors Program” and “University Honors Program” distinctions. To receive distinctions, students must be seeking their first baccalaureate degree. Honor distinctions are not awarded for additional baccalaureate degrees, associates degrees, or graduate-level degrees.

Latin Honors:

1. Distinctions for graduating students are determined after grades have been submitted for the first session of the graduating term for the graduation program and ceremony. Distinctions are recalculated after full-term and second session grades have been posted to award distinctions to any students who improved sufficiently to achieve a distinction. Students who improve or qualify for distinction at the end of their last semester, will be contacted the next week with an updated diploma and cord.
2. In order to receive Latin Honors, students must earn at least 45 A-State Institutional Hours. A-State registration for the graduating term will be included when determining if a student meets this requirement.
3. Students must have both an Overall (Cumulative) GPA and an A-State Institutional GPA that meets the following requirements:

NOTE: Overall GPA is calculated by combining GPA hours and quality points for all A-State and transfer coursework. (Transfer coursework may include courses taken concurrently while in high school.)

Program Honors:

1. Distinctions for graduating students are determined prior to the graduating term.
2. Students who complete the Honors Program shall be recognized as graduating “In Honors”. Diplomas and transcripts will bear the designation “Honors Program”. Students who complete the University Honors Program shall be recognized as graduating “In University Honors”. Diplomas and transcripts will bear the designation “University Honors Program”.

Honor Roll

An honor roll consisting of the Chancellor’s List and the Dean’s List is published at the close of each semester. In order to qualify, students must complete a minimum of twelve semester hours of degree-credit courses.

Wilson Award

The Wilson Award is presented annually to the university’s outstanding graduating senior. The recipient is selected on the basis of character, determination, involvement, and academic achievement. This honor is bestowed in memory of R.E. Lee Wilson, a member of the Arkansas State University Board of Trustees from 1917 until his death in 1933.

Academic Good Standing

Academic Good Standing at A-State occurs when a student achieves both a current semester AND minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 (C average). Only those grades earned at Arkansas State University are used in computing the GPA. Academic Good Standing status allows for continued enrollment in the University without restriction. For purposes of eligibility for participation in organized university activities (e.g. intercollegiate athletics, club sports, co-curricular activities, etc.), students are considered to be in academic good standing so long as placement on academic probation or academic suspension does not preclude their continued enrollment at A-State. Although students who are placed on academic probation and those students who are placed on academic suspension and participate in the Restart@State student success program do not meet the required GPA for academic good standing, the continued enrollment privilege provided by the University allows students to maintain eligibility for participation in university activities.

Academic Probation and Suspension

First Suspension: Students who are admitted and currently enrolled through Transition Studies may be dismissed from the program and therefore suspended from the University. Please see Transition Studies under University College in the bulletin. Students under regular admission standards suspended for the first time are under the retention policy listed below:

Students will receive academic probation at the close of any enrollment period (fall, spring or summer term) when their current semester or A-State cumulative grade point average (GPA) is below 2.00. Academic probation status will be removed at the end of any enrollment period when both the current semester and A-State cumulative GPA are 2.00 or above. Students receiving academic probation are strongly encouraged to counsel with an academic advisor or call the Wilson Advising Center at (870) 972-3001.

Students on academic probation will be suspended from the university for poor scholarship when their current semester (fall, spring, or summer term) and A-State cumulative GPA are both below the required 2.00. Students suspended from the university for poor scholarship may apply for readmission to Arkansas State University under READMISSION FOLLOWING ACADEMIC SUSPENSION POLICY.

Readmission Following Academic Suspension

Upon academic suspension from A-State, students should contact the Wilson Advising Center to review the terms for admission following an academic suspension from the university. (870) 972- 3001. Students admitted to the university through Transition Studies, must successfully complete all program requirements. Failure to do so may result in suspension from the program. Students who are suspended from the Transition Studies Program must contact Transition Studies at 870-972-2080 to discuss readmission.

Restart@state Program: Students on a first academic suspension with the university, who have not participated in Restart@state and wish to return to A-State, must seek enrollment into Restart if they are returning to A-State within one calendar year. Students must complete the application process and attend a Restart Information Workshop the first week of class. Restart@state is a fall, spring and summer program option. Program fees do apply. The Restart Program fee is used for university retention initiatives.

During the Restart semester, students will enroll in the one-hour Restart Seminar. Students who are administratively withdrawn or fail the Restart Seminar will serve a mandatory separation period from the university and all other institutions of higher education the following semester. Successful completion of the Restart@state program requirements will allow enrollment during the subsequent enrollment period, provided the student meets the necessary GPA and other requirements stated in the Restart contract. Students who fail to meet the minimum 2.0 GPA requirement during the Restart semester must adhere to the suspension policy in the current Undergraduate Bulletin.

First Suspension: Students who are suspended from the university for the first time must enroll in the Restart@state program. (See procedures for enrollment under the Restart@state Program.) All students considering taking coursework at another institution while on first suspension from A-State are strongly advised to meet with their A-State academic advisors for guidance on appropriate coursework selection. (See section on Transferring Work from Other Institutions while on First Suspension.)

Second and Third Suspension: Students who earn a second or third suspension from the university are not permitted to enroll at A-State for one calendar year. The suspended period is intentional to provide time for students to gain an appreciation for the opportunity to attend college. After serving the suspension period, the student must visit the Wilson Advising Center for academic standing clearance prior to registration.

Subsequent Suspensions: Students who earn a fourth or subsequent suspension from the university are dismissed from the university.

Transferring Work from Other Institutions while on Suspension: Students serving a first, second, or third suspension who complete coursework at a different institution during their suspended period, may have their coursework reviewed for acceptance at A-State, upon return.

Diplomas

Requirements for a Double Major

Students who seek a double major or students working concurrently on a second baccalaureate degree MUST meet the requirements of both degrees and majors under the provisions of the A-State bulletin in effect during the student’s enrollment in college. Double majors must be completed at the same time. Work completed after the awarding of the first baccalaureate degree may be applied to a second baccalaureate degree under the terms listed in the Requirements For An Additional Baccalaureate Degree.

Double Degrees are two DIFFERENT Degree types, such as a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. Degrees types are also differentiated by the college in which they are awarded. If a student is seeking two majors with the same Degree type in the same college, they are considered a Double Major.

BS in Sci/Math (Biological Sciences) + BA in Sci/Math (Chemistry) = Double Degree (one college) = Two Diplomas
BS in Sci/Math (Biological Sciences) + BA in HSS (Criminology) = Double Degree (two different  colleges) = Two Diplomas
BS in Sci/Math (Biological Sciences) + BS in Sci/Math (Mathematics) = Single Degree with a Double-Major (one college) = One Diploma*

*Students will receive the one diploma with both majors listed. However, an option to obtain a diploma for each major is available for an additional $15 fee.

Minors

Students who successfully complete requirements for a minor will receive a minor certificate to accompany their diploma. Students seeking a double minor will receive one certificate with both minors reflected.

Transcript Policies

Fee Information

1. Unofficial Transcripts are Free of Charge and can be printed online for coursework taken during Fall 1990 and beyond.
2. Official Transcripts are Free of Charge if ordered online through Self-Service and mailed.
3. Requests made via mail, or in person will be processed for a $10.00 flat fee.
4. For Federal Express delivery, there is an additional fee of $25.00.
5. There is a $2.00 charge each for immunization records and test scores.

General Information

1. Official transcripts of the student’s A-State permanent record are issued on “security” paper with the seal of the university and the Registrar’s signature.
2. Transcripts which have been presented for admission or evaluation of credit become a part of the student’s permanent record and are not reissued. Transcripts from other institutions, (including High School), must be obtained directly from the original issuing institution.
3. Readmitting students who have been in a non-enrolled status for more than one year will be required to obtain new transcripts from all institutions previously attended.
4. Transfer students should obtain, for advisor use in scheduling, a reference copy of their academic record from each institution attended.
5. Transcripts or other evidence of attendance will not be issued to or for a student who is in debt to the university.
6. Transcripts requested for currently enrolled students during the final exam period may have incomplete information from that term.
7. Transcripts are issued only at the online request of the student or the written request of the student or appropriate institutions and officials. NOTE: Telephone and e-mail requests are not accepted. To request a transcript, please visit the Transcript page at http://www.astate.edu/a/registrar/students/transcripts/.
8. For transcripts before Fall of 1990 you must request your first hardcopy from the Transcripts office or contact the office to be set up in our system. You cannot view your transcript on the web or request a copy online for course work prior to Fall 1990. Once we have received a request from you, you will be able to view your course work totals - not course by course detail - and request future transcripts on the web.
9. All transcripts are mailed out in a single business envelope to the designated address.
10. Immunization records and test scores may be requested in person or by mail. Please note: some former student’s immunization records and/or test scores may not be available from the office.
11. All duplicate transcripts mailed to home addresses go out in individual envelopes.